Art and Design

The Art and Design staff bring to the department a range of specialisms including design, textiles, ceramics and painting. The subject is taught by members of the department to pupils from P3 upwards enabling strong links between the Junior and Senior curriculum. Regular exhibitions of pupils' work are held within the department and elsewhere and pupils benefit from a range of visits to galleries and museums at home and abroad.

Art and Design: Staffing

Mrs Amanda Thomson (Head of Department)

Mrs Thomson studied Embroidered and Woven Textiles at Glasgow School of Art and completed her teacher training at Moray House.

Miss Jane Crabtree

Miss Crabtree specialised in Ceramics at Cumbria College of Art and Design and completed her teacher training at the University of Glasgow.

Mrs Catriona Fraser

Mrs Fraser graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA (Hons) in Drawing and Painting and then completed her teaching qualification at Moray House. She is Head of Year for S5.

Ms Naomi Garriock

Ms Garriock graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA (Hons) in Drawing and Painting and then completed her teaching qualification at Moray House 

Mrs Sarah Jamieson

Mrs Jamieson studied Craft and Textiles at Cumbria College of Art and Design in Carlisle and completed her teacher training at St. Martin’s College, Lancaster. She also coaches an S2 girl’s hockey team and athletics. 

Mrs Carole McGirr

Mrs McGirr studied 3D Design at Gray’s School of Art and completed her teacher training at Moray House. She is Head of Year for S1.

Mrs Susanne Rasmussen

Mrs Rasmussen completed her education in Denmark, having degrees in both Art and History.

Art and Design: Curriculum

S1

The S1 Art and Design course enables pupils to explore painting, design and ceramics through themes such as Self Portraiture, Natural Forms, The Built Environment and Africa.  A range of different approaches to drawing are considered and pupils are encouraged to think creatively and develop skills through experimenting with different media. Critical and Contextual Studies are linked to the various projects and a study of work by Van Gogh introduces pupils to art appreciation.

S2

In S2 pupils extend their skills in drawing from observation and explore painting through topics such as Food, Portraiture, Animals, or The Far East. A mini–design unit helps them to prepare for Intermediate 2 with the chance to explore areas like fashion design, graphics or product design. In Critical and Contextual Studies pupils develop their ability to analyse works of art and use specialist vocabulary through a study of Cubism and its impact on 20th Century art.

S3

Standard Grade Art and Design allows pupils to develop their visual awareness and technical skills in S3 through a range of short Expressive (Painting and Drawing) projects intended to build confidence and explore ideas. Pupils are encouraged to work with a wide variety of media, acquiring skills in observing and recording as well as creating and communicating. Practical problem solving skills are explored through a full Design Unit which might involve making ceramic teapots or textile mirror frames. Visual communication skills are developed, supported by the written Critical and Historical Studies project.

S4

In S4, pupils this year will complete the Standard Grade course by following a thematic approach to Expressive work, such as Tea Cups and Cakes or Reflections. Connections are made with work by other artists through the written Critical Activity and assessment of the practical work is through the five hour exam. An ambitious Design Unit allows plenty of scope for individual creative thinking. Pupils personalise a brief which might explore T-shirt design, jewellery or architecture and follow the design process in generating original solutions.  Design issues are considered through written Critical Activity essays which are closely linked to practical work.

S5

The Higher course involves a thematic response to an Expressive Unit (Painting and Drawing), such as Portraiture, with a related Visual Arts written study. Drawing from observation forms the basis of the project, with development studies allowing pupils to explore composition, media handling and the visual elements. In Design, pupils negotiate an individual brief which might involve Lighting or Costume Design. Practical problem solving and visual communication skills are developed, supported by the written Critical and Historical Studies project. Coursework folios are submitted to SQA while assessment of the written component is through the exam in May.

S6

Heriot’s usually presents around a dozen candidates for A Level Art and Design where individual projects are explored in lots of different creative areas, ranging from Fashion and Textiles or Architecture to Drawing and Painting. Photography for the Media Higher is also offered, with its opportunity to explore photo-journalism and studio photography through both digital and darkroom work. The folios that result from these two ambitious and challenging courses provide an excellent basis for successful art college applications.

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